Armenian Gull
Larus armenicus
Among large gulls it is rather small and delicate with a short bill and a “sweet” round-headed profile. Adults have a prominent black band across the bill. Wingtips are extensively black with little white. Young birds are brown and streaked. Has a rather limited range. Breeds on upland lakes. In winter found along coasts and inland wetlands.
Identification
The Armenian gull is a fairly large gull species, though it is on average the smallest of the "herring gull" complex. It can range from 52 to 62 cm (20 to 24 in), from 120 to 145 cm (47 to 57 in) across the wings, and weighs from 600 to 960 g (1.32 to 2.12 lb). Among standard measurements, its wing chord is 38.5 to 45.8 cm (15.2 to 18.0 in), its bill is 4.1 to 5.6 cm (1.6 to 2.2 in) and its tarsus is 5.7 to 6.4 cm (2.2 to 2.5 in). They are superficially similar to yellow-legged gulls but are slightly smaller with a slightly darker grey back and dark eyes. The area of black on the wingtips is more extensive with smaller white spots. The bill is short with a distinctive black band just before the tip. First-winter birds are mainly brown. They have a whitish rump, pale inner primary feathers, and a narrow, sharply-defined black band on the tail. Although their ranges do not overlap, with its darkish mantle, both black and red near the tip of its bill and a dark eye, the Armenian gull bears a remarkable resemblance to the California gull (L. californicus) of North America.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Larus armenicus
- Authority
- Buturlin, 1934
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Larus
Range and habitat
The Armenian gull nests beside mountain lakes in Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and western Iran. The largest colonies are at Lake Sevan and Lake Arpi in Armenia. It is a partial migrant, with many birds wintering on the coasts of Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel. Smaller numbers reach Cyprus, Egypt, and the Persian Gulf.
- Breeding range
- PAL : lakes of s Georgia, Armenia, e Turkey and nw Iran
- Non-breeding range
- to e Mediterranean, s Black and s Caspian seas, and Persian Gulf
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Hartlaub's Turaco
Tauraco hartlaubi
A beautiful green turaco with dark blue wings, tail, and crown. Note the white markings on the head: a white spot in front of the eye and a white line below the eye. Like all turacos, shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in montane forests, lush woodlands, and gardens. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Similar overall to other turacos, but separated from most by the dark blue crown, and from Purple-crested Turaco by the white facial markings. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes.
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Medium-sized parakeet, bright lime green above with whitish face and chest, pinkish bill, and blue wingtips. Native to South America, where it is found in various open habitats, especially rural agricultural areas and towns. In introduced range, can be found locally in large cities. Builds enormous stick nests, often on large structures like cell phone towers and power poles; "Cliff Parakeet" of arid southcentral Bolivia manages to build, quite impressively, on sheer cliffs. Listen for its harsh, screeching voice.
Red-and-white Antpitta
Grallaria erythroleuca
Fairly large antpitta of montane habitats. Rusty orange with a white throat and a lighter white or gray belly. Forages on the ground in dense undergrowth in upper montane forest, elfin forest, and humid scrub above the treeline. Often a fairly common bird, but reclusive and much more often heard than seen; listen for an even-paced and slightly descending series of a few whistled notes: “pee, per, pur,” easily imitated.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.